The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
The Franklin High School Lady Warriors basketball team’s victory tour continued April 9 with a commendation by the Township Council.
The Lady Warriors posted an historic season, going 34-0 – the best single-season record in state basketball history – and winning the state Tournament of Champions for the second time in three years.
According to the commendation, the team “is to be recognized and honored for their outstanding 2018-2019 season with the following accomplishments:
- 34-0 Undefeated Season
- 2019 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions (2nd in 3 years)
- 2019 NJSAA Group IV State Champions (3rd year in a row)
- 2019 NJSIAA North II Group IV State Champions (3rd year in a row)
- 2019 Skyland Conference Champions – Delaware Division
- 2019 Somerset County Champion (2nd year in a row)
- #1 Ranked Team in New Jersey
- #12 Ranked Team in the Country (USA Today)”
The Mayor and Council “honor the 2018-2019 Franklin High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team and their coaching staff for their outstanding achievements and commend them for their display of sportsmanship and leadership,” the commendation reads.
“They play basketball, in my opinion, the way you play basketball, teamwork,” said Township Councilman Carl R.A. Wright (D-Ward 4). “One individual might play, two might play, but when you have a team sport, everyone gets to play.”
“Education comes first,” he said. “If you don’t pass math, if you don’t pass English, French, Spanish, whatever you take, if you don’t pass those classes, what kind of star are you? Where are you going to go? So they have to pass the classes first, and that’s what I look for. First academics, second, Tournament of Champions winners.”
Mayor Phil Kramer said the team is being honored “because of their winning the tournament, but really the thing that inspires us is their determination, their teamwork, that’s what got them here.”
“They’re just amazing girls,” he said. “They put us on the map. I cannot tell you how proud I am of them and how proud Franklin is of all of you. You guys are amazing.”
Ken Margolin, Franklin High School’s athletic director, thanked the council and community for supporting the team.
“I’m privileged to see them every day, to see the hard work that they put into it,” he said. “It’s been an amazing journey.”
“We really appreciate the town’s support,” Margolin said.
Ardaman Singh, the Board of Education’s vice-president also thanked the Council for honoring the team.
Coach Audrey Taylor said that she was “just proud,” and that she missed seeing the girls every day in practice.
“The joy of getting to see them every day, getting to know them as individuals as well as players, that’s the joy of the coaching side of it,” she said. “The wins obviously feel good, and being 34-0 obviously feels good as well, but it’s getting to know the girls and seeing their growth and seeing how hard they work to get to where they are today. Everything they put in, not only in the classroom but also with practices and games and all of that, I don’t think a lot of people understand how long this season is and how many hours they have to put in.”
“Really all the applause and everything goes toward them … and I’m thankful they trusted me and we were able to do what we did this year, and I’m glad the community is proud and I’m glad that we were able to bring something home to Franklin,” she said.
Tiana Joy Jackson, a senior point guard on the team, thanked Franklin residents for their support.
“We’d really just like to thank our community, all your guys’ support,” she said. “We can’t do it without the fans and the support of our community, so we really do thank you guys very much. The love and the feedback that we’re getting and the recognition for what we did is really amazing. You couldn’t ask for a better support system.”
The coaching staff was comprised of: Assistant Coaches Alicia Kavanagh and Dorcus Miller-Edwards and Managers Leslie Salas and Serena Jackson.
The 2018-19 Lady Warriors basketball team players are: Diamond Miller, Luese Ufuah, Tiana Jackson, Onoseta Ufuah, Keona Schenck, Kennday Schenck, Erica Jackson, Morgan Jones, Jalysse Wynns, Kyierah Dempsey-Toney, Christina Midgette and Jacqueline Drakeford.
